Stalin's Favorite: The Combat History of the 2nd Guards Tank Army

[rays]

Hello,

I am in the middle of reading "Stalin's Favorite" and would like to say that the book has been supremely interesting to date. It is incredibly detailed, but unique in my experience in the English langue to read such a rich history.

Highlights for me include:

1. The origins and the opening battles in Jan/Feb 1943. The losses encountered in these first engagements both due to enemy action, and, more significantly due to the weather. As much as the Germans will remark upon the mud, rain, and snow, it also affected the Soviet forces equally. In both this engagement and the subsequent Korun pocket the weather had an adverse effect on the Army's mobility and supply.

2. During the battle of Kursk the Army was deployed on the Northern Front. This book clearly lays out the options that were developed, the planning, and the staff work that the Soviets did in preparation for this engagement. Day by day action is recounted and when the 16th Tank Corps conducts a disorganized assault and has the 107th Brigade decimated the history speaks for itself. However, after this encounter there is a clear decrease in the daily casualty rate and increase in the German casualties.

3. The Sevesk Operation is interesting in differentiating first day casualties in causing a breach and an inability to follow through on the offensive.

4. Korsun, I have read the book "The Korsun Pocket" by Niklas Zetterling. While in his work he talks about the challenges facing the German army in extracting Group Stemmermann due to the weather, he rarely utilizes Russian sources to show the impact the mud had on the mobility of the 2nd Guards Army in responding to the German push. This book is a welcomed and opposing counterpoint to this novel.

Finally, what is interesting is the vehicles involved. Up until the battles of the Korsun pocket in 1944, the tank formations consist roughly 1/3 T-70 and 2/3rds T-34. There were no SU-85's or other tank destroyers which does cause problems against the heavier German tanks. The first mention of SU-85's and JS-1's (with the 85mm) is in the battles of the Korsun Pocket. The common perception that in 1943 the USSR had SU-85's and in 1944 T-34/85's is, at least from this armies perspective, false. I am aware that latter in 1944 they will receive T-34/85's and JS-2's and I am looking forward to reading how the army sees these tanks and how much of an improvement they bring. There is no doubt though, that for a period of almost a year in 43/44 the German tanks outclassed everything the USSR had.

For anyone interested in the eastern front and the Russian perspective of operations at the Brigade to Army level I would highly recommend this book, from operational summaries, to lessons learnt, and notable actions it is a wealth of information. I look forward to the second volume and the continued actions of this tank army.

-AR-

[John Hilly]

Thanks for the review! Must have a copy...

[Cult Icon]

+1 I have read this book as well and it is a must get.

[John Hilly]

I got an e-mail from my library today. They will acquire the book and I will be first to have it.
Hurrah for Finnish library system!

[rays]

Hi,

I have really enjoyed the book and it has opened my eyes with regards to the actions of the 2nd Tank Army. Each chapter is focused on an operation and the progress of the 2nd Tank Army throughout the war. The layout of the chapter is the following:

1. General outline of the operation;
2. Daily reports from all levels, typically brigade to Army level reports;
3. After action reports from the operation; and
4. Key individual actions that occurred during the operation.

The most interesting line I read was on page 354, a copy of the order from the commander of the 2nd Tank Army. It stated:

"Make a full and final accounting of the tanks. Write-off everything and get rid of hundreds of tanks."

This was the first time I saw a commander or indeed a report changing the status of tanks from damaged to irrecoverable to get more tanks from the factories.

Regardless, a most enjoyable read, and I am looking forward to volume 2.

-AR-

www.greatpatrioticwar.com

[Igorn]

I am pleased to inform you that Volume 2 of the Stalin's Favorite is available on amazon and other bookstores for pre-ordering.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/191077 ... 1_4&sr=8-4
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stalins ... 1910777794

[NunoKs]

Thanks for the heads up, just started reading the first volume and so far it's been a very interesting reading.

[Igorn]

Dear All,

I am pleased to inform you that Volume 2 of Stalin's Favorite was finally completed by Helion, printed and now in stock at Amazon UK. I hope you will enjoy it. You can check this link:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stalins-Favori ... s=nebolsin

For those who can read Russian - Eksmo & Yauza published the same book in Russian and another volume on the Combat history of the 1st Guards Tank Army.

https://www.amazon.com/Pervaya-Gvardeys ... s=nebolsin
http://www.ozon.ru/context/detail/id/137610639/
http://www.ozon.ru/context/detail/id/137653259/
https://www.amazon.com/Lyubimaya-Stalin ... s=nebolsin


Best Regards from Russia,

[rays]

For those in the US, volume two is being released 3 December 2016 on Amazon.com

For those in Canada, it is being released 19 November 2016 on Amazon.ca

Ray

[Igorn]

Volume 2 of Stalin's Favorite is in stock with amazon in Germany and UK and available for immediate delivery.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stalins-Favori ... _i=desktop

https://www.amazon.de/Stalins-Favorite- ... s=nebolsin

[Cult Icon]

Excellent work, Igorn. I have a copy of your book now.

[Igorn]

Thank you!

[Igorn]

An interesting review of Stalin's Favorite - Volume 2 was posted at http://globeatwar.com/review/stalins-favorite-volume-2